Politics
Foreign Minister: Moldova’s cooperation with USA will continue and will develop
Reading Time: 5 minutesForeign Minister: Moldova’s cooperation with USA will continue and will develop
(Interview given by Deputy Premier, Foreign and European Integration Minister Andrei Stratan to the MOLDPRES News Agency on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Moldova and the United States)
MOLDPRES: Mr Stratan, although 15 years of diplomatic relations is a relatively short period for a state, one may easily ascertain that our relations with the United States of America have become visibly more dynamic. In the context of this jubilee, we would like you to refer to Moldova s most pertinent achievements in its relations with this actor of utmost importance on the international stage.
Stratan: The United States was one of the first countries which recognised Moldova’s independence, established diplomatic relations with our country on 28 February 1992, and opened a permanent diplomatic mission in Chisinau short after that. On this relatively short period, as you said, we have managed to jointly carry out many important things. It is important to recall that the USA has been and remains one of Moldova’s most reliable partners in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process and the most consistent supporter of the economic and democratic reforms in Moldova. We have managed to ensure a more and more active participation of the international community in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process namely with the important support of our American partners. I would like to emphasize also USA s special role in Moldova’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which gave us valuable advice and firm support in the pre-accession process. We were happy with the United States’ support also in the process of re-establishing the cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), as well as to reschedule the country’s foreign debts to the Paris-based Club of Creditors. In the same context of deepening the bilateral cooperation, we felt the United States’ permanent support for the consolidation of our country’s participation in the regional cooperation initiatives, which extend the cooperation opportunities with the countries from this region, especially on the economic dimension. As I have earlier said the United States became the principal technical assistance donor, with a share of about 50 percent of all the foreign assistance given to Moldova.
MOLDPRES: You mean Moldova’s admission to the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Programme?
Stratan: Particularly to this programme, the more so as it had a wide positive echo in the Moldovan society. Moldova’s participation in the Millennium Challenge Programme opens a new chapter in the Moldovan-American bilateral relations. The invitation to the programme itself shows a high degree of reliability of the current Moldovan government for the policies of promoting democratic values and economic reforms. At the same time, the progress the country has made while implementing this far-reaching programme, launched following an initiative by President George Bush in 2004, allows gradually advancing in our dialogue with the United States towards a sustainable partnership. Certainly, Moldova’s admission to this programme represents, to the same extent, an appreciation and a great credit of trust for our country, which we will have to adequately honour. At the same time, we are aware of our responsibility too. Our country’s ability of elaborating a significant and well-reasoned proposal, from the economic viewpoint, for financing within the second stage of the Millennium Challenge Programme will largely depend on the degree of the private sector’s and civil society’s involvement in this process. Namely from this perspective, in 2007, we are set to cooperate as closely as possible, and to hold an open dialogue with the entire population, from which we expect an active position as regards the country’s development prospects.
MOLDPRES: Mr Stratan, could you refer to the outcomes of the Moldovan-American cooperation through the light of the benefits for the Moldovan ordinary citizens?
Stratan: Thank you for this question. Moldova s entire population benefits from the assistance given by the United States. Certainly, all the Moldovan citizens will benefit from the successful implementation of the actions included in the plan of the country’s participation in the Millennium Challenge Programme in the field of preventing and combating corruption. I cannot overlook the humanitarian assistance under the form of medical equipment, pharmaceutical products and medical advice by American specialists provided to orphanages and boarding schools, incurably sick people and old people. In the near future, certain categories of Moldovan citizens (students, business people, cults’ representatives etc.) will benefit from a liberalised U.S. travel visa regime.
MOLDPRES: What does this liberalised visa regime provide for?
STRATAN: As you already know, starting 1 January 2007, the U.S. citizens can come to Moldova without visas. For their part, the categories of Moldovans I have mentioned above will have possibility of getting U.S. multiple-entry visas for a longer period, 5-10 years, which will exempt them from the procedure of appealing to the American diplomatic mission each time when they are set to travel to this country. And they will certainly be exempted from additional expenses.
MOLDPRES: In 2005, Moldova wanted to cooperate more closely with NATO within the Partnership for Peace (PfP), which it joined in 1994. The USA is the country which laid the foundations to the North Atlantic Treaty, which launched the PfP initiative, and which is now, undoubtedly, one of the most influential Allies. How can you characterise Moldova’s relations with the USA from the viewpoint of our country’s relations with NATO?
STRATAN: It is true that the decision Moldova took in the summer of 2005 to adopt an Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) boosted the Moldovan-American bilateral political and military relations.
Naturally, the dialogue in this field is as old as the bilateral relations. For several years, Moldova has been benefiting from considerable assistance meant to edify its armed forces. Here, I would certainly name the International Military Education and Training (IMET) Programme meant for training the military staff, the assistance given through the Warsaw Initiative, which would allow our servicemen to participate in PfP activities without Moldova’s financial involvement, the so-called Joint Contact Team Programme (JCTP), in which we have been participating since 1999, and other programmes that Moldova has chosen.
IPAP’s adoption, as I have said, gave a fresh impetus to this dialogue. The important thing is that the concerned dialogue is depoliticised, it reflects Moldova’s needs. We wanted to reform the security and defence system. A reformation due to be in line with the Western standards, in the spirit of the transformations taking place in the process of implementation of the European Union (EU) Action Plan for Moldova. At the same time, we did not want to hold discussions or disputes on Moldova’s constitutional status of neutral country. This thing is perfectly understood at NATO, which, as it is known, and I have repeatedly spoken about, does not describe IPAP as the preparatory stage of accession to the Alliance. This fact is understood in Washington, which favours the Implementation of the IPAP with NATO and the cooperation with the USA in the political and military areas.
MOLDPRES: How has USA’s role developed in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, and which are the prospects in this respect?
STRATAN: USA’s participation in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process has gradually evolved. I ascertain with satisfaction that, over the last time, USA’s role in the country’s reunification process shifted to a qualitatively new level. We have always kept in touch with the American partners, but after the USA had joined the process of political negotiations on the conflict s settlement, these bilateral ties turned into a permanent dialogue with more issues on the agenda.
Presently, I have no reservation when saying that the USA is a reliable partner and an active supporter of Moldova’s territorial integrity. The position the U.S. representatives have expressed at the negotiating table is often the closest to the Moldovan delegation’s positions. At this point, I would like to appreciate the constructive role played by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador David Kramer in the 5+2 negotiations. In this respect, I underline that the USA is the most consistent and the prime supporter of the need to implement for good the decisions of the 1999 OSCE Summit in Istanbul with regard to the full withdrawal of the Russian military troops from Moldova.
Touching upon the American civil society’s contribution, I recall that, in 2006, the New York Bar Association published a comprehensive survey in which it analysed the key aspects of the Transnistrian conflict from the viewpoint of the international law. This survey was the output of a voluntary work carried out by a group of well-known jurists, led by Mark Meyer and Christopher Borgen.
You asked me about prospects. I am sure that our intense cooperation with the USA will continue and will develop. I reiterate our wish to see the USA and EU as full-fledged mediators. I consider that the USA’s experience and resources are pertinent in the context of the Transnistrian region s democratisation and demilitarisation. We still have much to do, and we rely on USA’s support. // Moldpres
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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